[Mohoender]

In his inaugural address, President Clinton declares that "Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America." Then, shortly after taking office, the U.S. president turns most of its attention toward internal matters. Changes are made to the US health care policy, gay rights are improved and a strong support is given to NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) in order to have it ratified by congress. Talks with Russia are now favored over threat, military expenditures are further reduced but policies in the West varies.

The increase in financial support by Moscow to several countries, the warming of Sino-Soviet relations, the faster modernization of Red Military Forces and intervention in Crimea have raised worries among US allies. France still cancels several military programs but maintains the level of its military expenditures over 3% of its GDP. In UK or Sweden equipments that were to be scrapped are put in storage instead. In Germany as most former GDR units are disbanded to comply with treaty obligations refiting programs are designed to be applied to equipments inherited from East Germany. However, Italy is still shaken by political scandals and instability.

In the meantime, the neo-communist government of U.S.S.R. is increasingly successful and GDP keeps growing despite the fact that prices on food, raw materials and foreign vehicles remain strictly under State control. In agriculture, private ownership increases faster and a Soviet industry, in the process of switching to a production of consummer goods, proves unable to properly supply it in mechanized equipments. Then, horse breeding is boosted and more farms rely on horses for local transport and field works. In the military, more units are disbanded but several programs get more funding than expected (T-90, BTR-90) and modernizations already starts on a fairly large scale (T-80U are modified to T-80UD). As planned, the air force gets more than its share with many new aircrafts being fielded: Su-30, Su-34, Yak-141, Yak-44, Ka-52. Meanwhile, people are allowed to move freely within Soviet borders while corruption drops (after thorrow KGB investigations).

On the other hand, tensions continue with Ukraine which still refuses to recognize the Crimean independence but no aggressive action is taken. The economic crisis still weakens Kiev and the country holds the world record for inflation in one calendar year. This terrible situation even pushes Ukraine to accept a major commercial deal with the Soviet Union. Work is resumed on the second Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier that should be delivered to the Soviet Navy by the end of 1996 in exchange for a several ships to be transfered to the Ukrainian Navy.

Fighting continues in the former republics of Yugoslavia and becomes increasingly bitter. There is now no talk of reunifying the country; instead ethnic groups fight biterly for as large a slice of territory as possible. Local militia deal ruthlessly with the people of other ethnic groups living in their regions and massacres are numerous from all sides. In February, UN security council issues resolution 808 deciding that “an international tribunal shall be established” to prosecutes violations of international law in Yugoslavia. In April, it adopts resolution 816 that calls for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina and, by mid-month, CSTO and NATO commence “Operation Deny Flight” to enforce it.

Outside Europe several events are also marking this year, bringing some fears. Concerns are expressed toward Iraq and North Korea. The first is hit several time by tomahawks: in January, when it deploys troops near Kuwait and, in June, after an alleged assassination attempt on former US president George Bush. The second benefits from an increasing support from Moscow and, toward mid-summer, Pyongyang withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. In China, Jiang Zemin, the new PRC President, accelerates the technical and military collaboration with USSR but also engages more economical reforms and the path toward market economy accelerates.again. Elsewhere, in September, PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin shake hands in Washington D.C., after signing a peace accord. As the situation appears to worsen everywhere, the world can dream of an issue to the conflict in that part of the world.

Another continent seems to experience important changes: Africa. After a referendum, held in April, Eritrea gains independence from Ethiopia and power is assumed by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), a marxist political party. Fearful of US intervention, Eritrea quickly turns toward USSR for help and support, opening again the harbor facilities at Masawa to Soviet shipping. Fighting resume in Angola between UNITA and governmental forces (MPLA) but it takes a very different direction as the now democratic government is supported by the West. Jonas Sawimbi, leader of UNITA, faces difficulties as he is cut from his former support but, true to his word ( "I am not communist because it serves no purpose. Nor am I a capitalist. Socialism in this country is the only answer.”), turns to Soviet Union for supply. In October, Burundi enters a civil war when democratically elected Hutu president, Melchior Ndadaye, is assassinated by Tutsi extremists and violence breaks out between the two groups. On the same month, a raid on Mogadishu ends with the death of 18 US soldiers and over 1000 somalis. In South Africa, Chris Hani, an anti-apartheid activist, is assassinated. The murderer escapes but is found dead on the next day. Investigation progress slowly, riots are taking place throughout the country and F.W. De Klerk is increasingly criticized before being forced out of office while new elections are organized. The widespread violence that had followed hani’s assassination worries the white minority and Ferdinand Hartzenberg, leader of the Konserwatiewe Party van Suid-Afrika, is elceted (under suspicion of widespread cheating). The ANC is banned, Nelson Mandela is arrested again, and before year’s end the process that could have led to the end of Apartheid ended. In addition, the new President declares that South Africa will resume it’s nuclear program.